IPAC vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IPAC (iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IPAC is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Pacific Investable Market Index, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IPAC returned 9.13%/yr vs 9.76%/yr for VXUS. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IPAC charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

IPAC vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF (IPAC) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IPAC having a 13.73% return and VXUS slightly higher at 14.25%. Over the past 10 years, IPAC has underperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 9.13%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.76% annualized return.

IPAC

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 13.73%
• 6M: 15.39%
• 1Y: 28.03%
• 3Y*: 17.03%
• 5Y*: 7.65%
• 10Y*: 9.13%

VXUS

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: 4.68%
• YTD: 14.25%
• 6M: 16.92%
• 1Y: 32.01%
• 3Y*: 19.30%
• 5Y*: 8.46%
• 10Y*: 9.76%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IPAC vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IPAC iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF	13.73%	25.16%	6.18%	14.51%	-13.68%	3.09%	12.39%	19.44%	-12.78%	25.97%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	14.25%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between IPAC and VXUS is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2014	0.89

The correlation between IPAC and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

IPAC vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IPAC	VXUS
Financial Services	22.9%	22.3%
Industrials	21.3%	16.1%
Technology	12.9%	18.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	8.4%
Basic Materials	8.2%	7.6%
Communication Services	5.7%	4.4%
Real Estate	5.5%	2.6%
Healthcare	5.3%	7.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	5.0%
Utilities	1.9%	3.2%
Energy	1.8%	5.2%

Return for Risk

IPAC vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IPAC

IPAC Risk / Return Rank: 50
IPAC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
IPAC Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
IPAC Omega Ratio Rank: 50
IPAC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
IPAC Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 60
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 61

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IPAC vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF (IPAC) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	IPAC	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.12	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	2.90	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.39	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	2.85	-0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.83	11.14	-2.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IPAC vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IPAC Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IPAC and VXUS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IPAC	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	2.12	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.53	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.57	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.39	+0.06

Drawdowns

IPAC vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IPAC drawdown since its inception was -30.99%, smaller than the maximum VXUS drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IPAC and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IPAC	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.99%	-35.97%	+4.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.49%	-11.27%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.45%	-13.58%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-29.44%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.99%	-35.97%	+4.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-0.99%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.48%	-8.22%	+0.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	2.88%	+0.30%

Volatility

IPAC vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF (IPAC) is 4.00%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 5.60%. This indicates that IPAC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IPAC	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	5.60%	-1.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.09%	13.00%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.41%	15.21%	+1.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.62%	16.05%	+0.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.58%	17.16%	-0.58%

IPAC vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IPAC has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IPAC vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

IPAC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.80%, more than VXUS's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IPAC iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF	3.80%	4.32%	3.43%	3.16%	2.76%	4.03%	1.68%	3.37%	2.95%	2.98%	2.66%	2.60%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.66%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IPAC and VXUS in my portfolio?

IPAC and VXUS have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IPAC or VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (5.60%) compared to IPAC (4.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IPAC dropped -30.99% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which ETF is better, IPAC or VXUS?

On 10-year performance, VXUS leads with 9.76% vs 9.13% for IPAC. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IPAC has been the lower-risk option at 4.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IPAC or VXUS?

Over the 10-year period, VXUS has performed better with a 9.76% return vs 9.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IPAC or VXUS?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for IPAC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IPAC or VXUS?

IPAC has the higher dividend yield at 3.80%, compared with 2.66% for VXUS.

What is the main difference between IPAC and VXUS?

IPAC is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while VXUS is Global Equities. IPAC tracks MSCI Pacific Investable Market Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IPAC and 0.05% for VXUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.72), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.